⠀ Starter birds with kids

[BenGBean]

Hi there, we're just thinking about getting started so I thought I would ask my question here since you're the expert !

I have two kids 6 and 3 and am wondering if there are any birds that are hardier and better to have around kids. 6yo is pretty calm but my 3yo is a little wild! We have a lot of space but just wanted to get started with 2-3 birds, what are your recommendations for types of birds and how to introduce them to the kids?

 

[DrMikelleRoeder]

Good question! Some of the quieter breeds of chickens include Wyandottes, Australorps, and one of my favorites, Buff Orpingtons. I have presented at two major poultry events, and at both there was a flock of Buff Orpingtons just mingling with the crowd, unfazed by the 250 pairs of feet tramping around them. The birds wandered among the lunch tables, got picked up for rounds of picture-taking; in short, they seemed to thoroughly enjoy the hustle and bustle. Having said that, I must emphasize that it will be very important for your children to learn that chickens must be handled gently, especially when they are chicks. It is very easy to smother a chick simply by holding it too firmly; it doesn't take much pressure to keep a chick from being able to expand its chest and breathe. Also, new chicks can be easily stressed and become ill; I would make it very clear that those darling little chicks inside the brooder are absolutely off-limits for the first few weeks, and then can be handled only under adult supervision. If you supervise all chicken-children interactions, you should be able to raise birds that are comfortable and gentle with people, and children that respect and love the birds they learn to care for. Plus, when those birds grow up, you have delicious eggs for eating, baking favorite cookies, and decorating at Easter. Win-win! Good luck and have fun!